Selamat Hari Raya to all Malaysians
A closer look at my message wishing all Malaysians a Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. Click to enlarge.
Since I first started coming to Malaysia in 1992 which was 25 years ago, one aspect of this beautiful country which I have always appreciated is its multi-cultural nature. In fact it’s not uncommon to hear three, sometimes even four languages often being spoken in one conversation because everyone has grown up together and is so exposed to each others’ cultures. It is quite rare around the world to find a country which is such a melting pot, where each group is so close to one another, and yet there is peace, harmony and stability.
In Malaysia, the population today is roughly 30.3 million and from there you have four major cultures. You have the Chinese culture which forms 22.6% of the population, the indigenous population who make up 11.8% of the population, and also the rich Indian culture who make up 6.7% of the population. But the majority of Malaysians are from the gentle Malay culture and this forms 50.1% of the population.
So because all Malays are Muslim, this means every year half of our population which is 15 million people will join billions of Muslims around the world to fast during the holy month of Ramadhan. At sunrise they will wake up to do prayers and take a meal, and then they will not eat or drink anything until sunset. Then every evening at sunset, they will break fast (called buka puasa) with their family and loved ones. There is also a wonderful tradition of ‘open house’ events during this time. This means people will literally open their houses to their neighbours and friends to come and join them to break fast. Anyone who shows up is welcome and given a place at the table. So Ramadhan is a holy month for fasting, contemplation and strengthening one’s faith, as well as our bonds with the community and our loved ones.
The end of Ramadhan is known in Malaysia as Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. In fact, you can read more about it here in English or Malay. During this time, it is a national holiday so many families will take the opportunity to leave the towns and cities, to go back to their hometowns. This mass exodus of people from urban to rural areas is known as ‘balik kampung‘ or literally ‘return to village’ in the Malay language. The phrase is so famous that there’s even a famous Malay song of the same name!
So Ramadhan is a holy month for 15 million people in Malaysia. But because all Malaysians have grown up with one another, they are very familiar with Ramadhan and also Hari Raya. In the same way someone in the United States will wish everyone “Merry Christmas” whether you are Christian or not, in Malaysia we have a similar greeting at the end of Ramadhan which is “Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri”. They might even add “maaf zahir dan batin” at the end, which loosely translates as “I seek forgiveness (from you) physically and spiritually”.
I just wanted to share with you a little bit of information about the local Malay culture in Malaysia which is unique and beautiful. And recently, I was given an opportunity to express my good wishes to all Malaysians in an article that was published in the Sunday Star. This is a national newspaper in Malaysia with a circulation of more than 1.5 million people. In the article, I was able to explain some of the social work and community initiatives I have been able to establish to give back to this country.
I am fortunate to live in a peaceful, stable and wonderful country like Malaysia. We have food, a good economy, no conflict and wars, a stable government, freedom to practise whatever we like, no natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanoes. We have warm weather and the people are very welcoming and respectful of each others’ faiths and cultures. For the the 25 years that I have been coming here and finally residing here, Malaysia and her government and her people have been very kind to me. Without their support, many of my works would not have been possible and I thank them very much. That is why I established community initiatives like Kechara Soup Kitchen, because I would like to give back to Malaysians who have been kind to me.
And so with that, I would also like to reiterate my Hari Raya wish and message to all Malaysians. Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri to all Malaysians, and also a safe journey to everyone who will be travelling during this period.
Thank you,
Tsem Rinpoche
Appearing in The Sunday Star on June 25, 2017 wishing Malaysians a Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. Click to enlarge.
The online version of the article. Click to enlarge.
For more interesting information:
- The Malaysia category on my blog
- Hari Raya Aidilfitri (English)
- Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Malay)
- Chinese New Year
- Wesak Day In Malaysia
- Hari Wesak di Malaysia
- Thaipusam – The Festival of Lord Murugan
- Thaipusam – Perayaan Dewa Murugan
- தைப்பூசம் – முருகப்பெருமானின் விழா
- 大宝森节——战神穆卢干之节
- Gawai Dayak – The Celebration of Bountiful Harvest
- Perayaan Gawai Dayak
- காவாய் டாயாக் – அறுவடை திருநாள் கொண்டாட்டம்
- A Muhibbah Celebration: The Lantern Festival Charity Bazaar
- Rinpoche on National TV2’s Wesak Day Special!
- Cleaning Up Bentong for Malaysia Day
- Reaching Out in Bentong
- Delivering love and care at midnight!
- ‘Beat the Haze’ with Kechara!
- 25 Mouthwatering Dishes Of Malaysia
- Ready to be scared?
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I think it is heartwarming that a Buddhist monk like our guru, Rinpoche would think of people of another race and background. This reflects the multiculturalism of Malaysia, our home country. Since we all live together in this country, it is nice that we acknowledge each other and do our best to understand and appreciate one another.
This has always been Rinpoche’s example for us and this is basically what this post is all about. I find Rinpoche has always been a forward thinking in his approach with people and even Kechara is cutting edge in terms of how the departments are formed and how each approach Buddhist spirituality from various directions and each has its own audience. At the end, of the day, its about exposing and promoting spirituality to the masses.
Thank you Rinpoche for reminding us of the wonderful spirit of muhibbah, that Malaysians from the different ethnic groups share,especially in our celebrating our different cultural festivals together -beraya bersama(let’s celebrate together). We , who were born and bred here, have taken all this for granted – the freedom to practice the religion of our choice for Malaysians of other ethnic groups than Malay and the freedom to pursue our own cultural practices. There is a richness of the blend of diverse cultures.
Yes, there is also the fact that most of us can communicate in a few languages, Malay, English. our own mother tongue or our local dialects. We have grown up speaking a mixture of these to our friends and fellow-countrymen and being responded to in similar fashion. In fact, the fact that we speak in this way is uniquely Malaysian. Indeed, I had an English friend(who had been living here for a few years) tell me that she could spot a Malaysian anywhere in the world by this unique manner of speech.
We must treasure this beautiful part of being Malaysian. Thank you Rinpoche.
This is really a big surprise that Rinpoche appeared in the newspapers to give Hari Raya greetings to all Muslims in Malaysia,and also remembering the less fortunate ones. It’s so thoughtful and sweet of Rinpoche to do that. Rinpoche,you’re my greatest Hero! You’re wonderful! 🙂 _/\_
Living in a multi-racial country where most people of multi faith enjoy celebrating different major festivals as one big family.We are indeed fortunate and given the previlege as we respect and love each other, having religeous freedom and living harmony together.Yet we must remember those less fortunate homesless and poor people around us.Malaysia are blessed with great plenty, generous people and we have a moral obligation to assist those who are suffering from poverty with kindness and compassion.Rinpoche founded many charitable projects in Malaysia to help those less fortunate people and has inspired many people in giving generously.Rinpoche hopes to create a revolution of kindness and compassion in Malaysia.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these beautiful message to all Malaysians. ….Remembering the less fortunate